How Is Child Support Calculated When One Parent Is in the Military?

 Posted on August 24, 2026 in Military Divorce

With the various stipends, bonuses, and benefits that come with military life, total income can be difficult to calculate. This can lead to uncertainty about how much child support someone will end up paying or receiving.

Military benefits like housing allowances, food allowances, special duty pay, and combat pay can all affect child support. A Collin County, TX child support lawyer can help you understand which parts of military pay might count when child support is calculated in 2026.

What Counts as Income for Military Child Support in Texas?

Texas calculates child support based on the paying parent’s net resources. This usually starts with wages, salary, bonuses, and other income. Certain expenses, such as taxes, social security, union dues, and some health insurance costs, are then deducted under Texas Family Code Section 154.062. 

For military parents, more than base pay can count. Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) can be included when child support is calculated. 

Other military pay can also count. This can include special duty pay, hazardous duty pay, hostile fire pay, and bonuses. Even a payment that is not received every month, such as a reenlistment bonus, can affect the amount of income considered for child support.

How Do Texas Child Support Guidelines Apply to Military Pay?

Once a court determines a parent’s net resources, Texas applies the same guideline percentages used in any child support case. Under Texas Family Code Section 154.125, the standard percentages are:

• 20 percent of net resources for one child

• 25 percent for two children

• 30 percent for three children

• 35 percent for four children

• 40 percent for five children

• At least 40 percent for six or more children

If the paying parent has less than $1,000 in monthly net resources, Texas uses a different set of child support guidelines. The amount can also change if the parent has other children they are required to support.

For 2026, the standard child support percentages apply to the first $11,700 of a parent’s monthly net resources. These percentages apply up to a certain threshold, which is periodically updated by the Texas Office of the Attorney General. If the parent earns more than that, the court can order additional support if the child has greater financial needs. 

Does Deployment Change a Military Parent’s Child Support Order in Texas?

Deployment doesn’t automatically change or cancel a child support obligation. A parent must keep following the current order unless the court changes it. 

Deployment can still affect child support in some cases. For example, military duty may take a parent far from home and change how much time the child spends with each parent. In Texas, either parent can ask the court for a temporary order that changes parenting time, child support, or both while the parent is deployed.

Changes in military pay can also matter. If deployment causes a parent’s income to go up or down, either parent may be able to ask the court to change the child support amount. Until the court approves a change, the current child support order stays in place.

What Happens if a Military Parent Falls Behind on Child Support Payments in Texas?

Military service does not remove a parent’s duty to pay child support. Federal protections for service members can sometimes affect how and when a child support case is handled. However, a parent is expected to keep up with their current child support orders. If a military parent falls behind, support can still be taken from military pay. 

If you’re the receiving parent and your military co-parent has fallen behind on payments, you may have several options for enforcement. You can request enforcement help through the Texas Attorney General’s Child Support Division. You may also file a motion for contempt of court or a judgment for payment of the past-due support. You can also request wage withholding, which will be processed through the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS).

Call a Denton County, TX Military Divorce Lawyer Today

Military compensation can be complicated. Whether you’re expecting to pay or receive support, having someone walk you through the process can be very helpful.

Our mother-daughter team of attorneys has practiced Texas family law for over 30 years. We understand the special issues that can come up when a military parent is involved in a child support case. Our Collin County, TX child support attorneys can explain what to expect and help you request changes to an existing order when needed.

Call The Law Office of Linda Risinger at 972-294-6533 to schedule a free consultation today.